John 3:16 English Standard Version (ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Last week I wore a shirt that has a decorative cross pattern with the words “John 3:16” on it.

The checkout girl at the grocery store said to me, “John 3:16, I know what that says.”

So I asked her, “How about John 10:10?”

Her answer was no. So I asked her if she wanted to look up John 10:10 and her answer was a resounding no. Apparently John 3:16 was all she wanted to know about the bible.

Knowing a quote is not understanding the depths of its meaning or believing it for that matter. She would have been more honest with me if she had said “I hate that shirt.”

Hopefully my next encounter with that young lady will be more fruitful. Maybe some curiosity over the verse John 10:10 will cause her to look it up on her phone and discover that bad things happen because of our enemy and it is not God’s fault.

It is not for us to press an issue in a manner that is aggressive and unwelcomed. Plant the seed and let God use that if He should choose to do so to get her attention. I would love nothing more than at our next encounter that she says to me “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Then I will have the opportunity to ask “Who is the thief?”

It isn’t enough to know a thing if you don’t know who you are talking about.

This is why bible studies, small groups, teachings and counselors are so important. They allow us to have the same understanding and be on the same foot with one another.

My personal quote on Facebook is “if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”

It is an arguable point but one that is worthy of discussion.

Joe Kelly’s quote was “Truth Justice and the American Way.”

The fictional character Superman stood for that quote.

Jesus Christ is not fictional but if you don’t know Him then what does it matter if you can quote one line of scripture?

Hebrews 12:1-3 English Standard Version

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

It is so easy to get distracted these days. In searching for the word distracted in my bible app I did not find that word, but the sentiment exists. Here in Hebrews twelve we are given advice to help us when all the things going on around us concern us so much that it is difficult to focus on what is right and true.

The first issue is accepting that the truth and true believers abound around us today. In this we are not alone.

The second is to look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. We might not be perfected yet, but He is not through with us either. What Jesus did in His earthly ministries are examples of how we can trust God and His promises for those who believe by faith in Christ.

He could see the joy that lay before Him beyond what He had to endure in life. Do we know the end for us? Can you see it as worth what we must endure?

Romans 8:18 English Standard Version (ESV) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

The ways of the world are instant gratification. We are not of the world, we are Kingdom dwellers. Our way is in the promises of God.

We can turn to His Word to discover the Way to go.

Now comes the hard part.

Be patient.